More Wireless Devices Explode in Lebanon

For a second day, hand-held communication devices exploded across Lebanon and in the southern suburbs of the capital, Beirut, in an apparent attack on Hezbollah. At least 14 people were killed and 450 injured, the Lebanese Health Ministry said, as the NYT reports.

Fed Cuts Rates by a Half Point

The Federal Reserve voted to lower interest rates by a half percentage point, opting for a bolder start in making its first reduction since 2020, as the WSJ reports.

Ukrainian Drones Hit Missile Warehouse Deep in Russia

Ukrainian drones attacked overnight a weapons depot filled with missiles some 300 miles inside Russia, releasing a massive fireball into the nighttime sky — the latest strike on Russian military targets by Ukrainian forces using their own weapons, as The Washington Post reports.

Executive Education

As the 2024 election approaches, policy advocates face new uncertainties. Join Decoding D.C.: Policy, Power, and People from October 15-18, 2024, to gain insights into how shifting power dynamics will impact your work—and how to stay ahead. Register by October 1 to connect with Washington insiders and equip yourself with the tools to achieve your policy agenda.

Audio Briefs

CSIS now offers full audio versions of our latest analysis. Listen to CSIS's Dr. John J. Hamre's latest report, "A Strategic Framework for America in the Twenty-First Century."

In That Number

$50 Billion

A long-awaited plan to help Ukraine rebuild using Russian money is in limbo as the United States and Europe struggle to agree on how to construct a $50 billion loan using Russia’s frozen central bank assets while complying with their own laws.
Source: NYT

Critical Quote

“Power means to me getting something done for the American people.”

—Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

iDeas Lab

Fossil fuel consumption rates remain high because growing Global South populations remain relatively poor, while hydrocarbon energy resources are currently relatively affordable. As countries grow richer, citizens seek a higher quality of life, often increasing fuel use before green energy becomes economically viable. Read the full analysis here.

The Andreas C. Dracopoulos iDeas Lab at CSIS enhances our research with the latest in cutting-edge web technologies, design, and multimedia.

Optics

(Photo credit: CSIS.) This morning at CSIS, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) sat down with CSIS's Kathleen Mclnnis, Senior Fellow of the International Security Program and Director of the Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative, to discuss her new book, The Art of Power: My Story as America's First Woman Speaker of the House.

This Town Tomorrow

At 10:00 a.m., the CSIS International Security Program hosts a conversation on the upcoming release of the 2024 Navigation Plan (NAVPLAN) featuring Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations.

Then, at 11:30 a.m., the CSIS Freeman Chair holds a discussion with the authors of On Day One: An Economic Contingency Plan for a Taiwan Crisis, a recent report with guiding recommendations for “avalanche decoupling” in the case of a Taiwan Strait crisis.

Later, at 2:00 p.m., the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development examines the strengths and weaknesses of the potential reauthorization of GSP.

Video

Today, the CSIS Aerospace Security Project hosted a conversation on commercial space and national security with General (Ret.) Ellen M. Pawlikowski, U.S. Air Force, and Ms. Mandy F. Vaughn, CEO and Founder, GXO, Inc. Watch the full video here.

Podcasts

This week, David Capie, Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies and Professor of International Relations at the Victoria University of Wellington, joins the podcast to discuss New Zealand’s transitioning approach to its regional relationships.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

If you liked the Jackson Browne clip yesterday, you’ll enjoy this one too!

I invite you to email me at [email protected] and follow me on Twitter @handrewschwartz

The Evening is my daily guide to key insights CSIS brings to the events of the day. It is composed by Lauren Adler, Ava Rose, and the External Relations team.